A great loss to the SARASOTA SKY PILOTS

Hey all,
just wanted everyone to know that Jim Widdick, founder of the Sarasota Sky Pilots, passed away tonight at Manatee Hospice. Please keep him and his family in your thoughts. He was wonderful person with a very big heart. he will be greatly missed by us all.
I hold Jim responsible for bringing disc golf to sarasota and developing a club that has grown to over 550 members and still continues to grow. His dedication to the sport and a dream that he had that involved tirless meetings with the city of sarasota, phisically giving himself to the course during it's development and the raising of a new club. He has showed us all with his accomplishments for this sport that nothing is impossible or unreachable. For that reason I am very proud to be a Sarasota Sky Pilot and honored to have had the chance not only to meet him but to have him as a friend. So tonight I think of you Mr. Widdick me and my juniors want to say to you from the bottom of our hearts, thank you for the great oppotunity to have experienced this awesome sport and for your tireless efforts to have made it possible to be a part of something this great.
You will never be forgotten and will always be remembered for all that you have done for us, thank you!!!
Cal & Angie Lincoln
Cameron Lincoln
Ryan Lincoln

Replies to This Discussion

He was a friend to all and will be missed. So many fun memories, just filling my brain, but the funniest one, is the chili party at his house, and he gave Dennis Wank the bottle of sudden death hot sauce, to put on his chilli dog, and he put it on like it was ketchup, and Jim let him. Jim, thanks for all the great memories, you were and always will be, #1.

I first met Jim at a party at his house around 1999. It was Saturday after rounds in the Sky Pilots Open. In true Widdick fashion, everyone was invited. Well over 100 people at his house! We all had a great time. The Sky Pilots rule! Jim is King!

First off, Thank you Cal and family for the kind words. I thank you Jim for all the work you did because if you had not I would not have been introduced to the wonderful world of disc golf. Although it was not Jim directly, it was through friends of his that enlightened me. My son Michael also thanks you. We will think of #1 every time we go to throw. He, Kris and Karly will remain in our prayers always. I'm here, You're there. Love ya man.

I know I speak for all SkyPilots in saying how much Jim will be missed . His passion for the club and Watertower park was infectious. Personally, it was his firing me up about the club that made me think about wanting to lead it myself. When I came to Sarasota, we were still a small club. Jims love of the game and the club inspired all of us to do more for the club. He was a great leader and a good friend.
My favorite Widdck story?:

Hi all,
Most of you know me as J-mac, it took me a couple of days to sit down and write something because I was pretty distraught. Most of you knew jim primarily through disc golf some of you knew him on a much more personal level, this is for everyone.
We have lost a great friend and person. This world will not be the same without Jim Widick. My heart goes out to His brother Ed his mom Renee and his wife and daughter Kris and Karly.
On Thursday morning when Jim had pretty much lapsed into a "coma" like state his mom and brother arrived at 3:30 am after driving from Ft. Lauderdale all night. Obviously sad and broken hearted his mom looked around the room with tears in her eyes and said "I'm shocked that there are 6 people here, don't you people have to work" we all just smiled, because there was nothing going to stop us from being there for our friend Jim. The rest of that morning and until the end finally came for Jim His mom talked about how proud she was of her son not just because of him being her son but because he had to be a good person to create such loyal friends, again we smiled. The people in that room knew there were many more that felt the same way about Jim they for some reason just could not be there. If it had been a Saturday I don't think the place would have known what to do because of sooo many people being there let alone them being SKYPILOTS (you know how we can get).
I have lost a brother. I will miss you greatly.

P.S. I'm sure he is on his way to heaven and I bet you he is "practically running".

I am totally at a loss for words.....we will miss Jim alot. He was a great ambassador of the sky pilots and I really enjoyed playin rounds in sarasota with him. My prayers go out to all his friends and family. Peace.....I will mark my shots with my beer , in his memory, for this month.

Jim was one of my closest friends for 25 years. He had a carisma about him that drew everyone in, which is how he was able to start out all alone bringing in one by one what is now known as the Sarasota Sky Pilots. He put his heart & soul into cleaning up a park that was once a place no one wanted to go because it was to dangerous. Alot of people don't realize how many battles Jim had to fight over that park. He had a dream & was passionate about acheiving his goal. Jim brought so many people together from all different backgrounds. He loved us all and we love him. I will miss his smile, the twinkle in his eyes, when he laughed, his witty sense of humor, the sound of his voice, his serious side, and his sensitivity and caring . Jim's door was open to all. He knew how to have fun with everyone. Our lives have been blessed to have Jim for the time he was here. I was fortunate to be able to spend most of Jim's last days with him. He was treated with the dignity he deserved. The room was always filled with love from all who came to visit. You could feel the energy from each person who came to say good bye. My prayers go out to Jim's mother ,brother, Chris and especially Carly the love of his life. We will all treasure the special memories we have of Jim, and will keep him in our hearts. Im sure he's starting his next project and will be waiting for us when it's our time.
Love you always Jim,
Dawn Francey